A doctorate in philosophy obtained at the end of the First World War marked the academic transition for Walter Johannes Stein, a Vienna-born intellectual. His early academic focus on mathematics, physics, and philosophy at Vienna University evolved into a career defined by his commitment to anthroposophy and his long-term study of esoteric themes alongside Rudolf Steiner.
Academic Foundation and Military Service
Before his scholarly career matured, Stein served in an artillery unit during the First World War. He managed to continue his academic progress while on active duty, ultimately completing his dissertation. This research represented a structured attempt to develop a theory of cognition specifically applied to spiritual knowledge, a project that received guidance from Steiner.
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In 1919, following the unsuccessful attempts to promote Social Threefolding, Stein accepted a position at the inaugural Waldorf School in Stuttgart. He taught history and German literature, a role that facilitated his extensive research into the Grail cycle. This inquiry resulted in the 1928 publication of The Ninth Century and the Holy Grail, where he interpreted the epic of Parzival as an esoteric roadmap for internal human development.
The London Period and Economic Research
In 1933, Stein relocated to London at the invitation of Daniel Nicol Dunlop, an executive associated with the British Electrical and Allied Manufacturers' Association and the World Power Conference. Stein collaborated on economic, geological, and geographical projects aimed at supporting a projected World Economic Conference. Following Dunlop’s death in 1935, Stein established the journal The Present Age, which he used to publish his findings on world economy until the outbreak of the Second World War.
Public Engagement and Writing
Stein was a prolific public speaker, often delivering as many as 300 lectures annually from the 1920s onward. His bibliography expanded to include diverse subjects, ranging from reincarnation and the history of gold to national psychology. His notable works include West-East: A Study in National Relationships, Labour: in History and in Modern Times, and The British: Their Psychology and Destiny.
Fast facts
- Born: 1891, Vienna
- Died: 1957, London
- Nationality: Austrian
- Primary Occupation: Philosopher
- Associated Teacher: Rudolf Steiner
- Language: German
Questions readers ask
What was Stein's contribution to the Waldorf movement?
He served as a teacher of history and German literature at the first Waldorf School in Stuttgart.
Why did Stein move to London in 1933?
He was recruited by Daniel Nicol Dunlop to conduct research for the World Power Conference and to support the establishment of an independent cultural journal.
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